When can I start icing my chest with an ice pack after breast implant surgery?

Question

I just got BA surgery this morning and right now my chest if feeling very tight and swollen. My doctor never said anything about using ice packs on my chest to help, but I'm wondering if I can use them and when? Thanks!

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

I do not recommend icing, ever.  After
breast implant surgery, I advise the patients to take one week off from work.
 At that point we take out their stitches and teach them the implant
massage technique.  We suggest 5 times per day with the massage and no bra
for one month.  The patients may return to work, but may not engage in any
strenuous activity.  At one month, the patients start to wear a of cup bra
with no underwire and can start low impact cardio.  At two months they can
wear an underwire bra and engage in more strenuous physical activity.
 Breast massage continues forever, although only once per day.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

I generally don't recommend ice for breast patients as the implant is so far from the skin surface it does little good nor is it helpful after the point of maximum swelling, after the first 3 days.Discuss this with your surgeon and follow his directions!#iceaftersurgery#breastaugmentation#BA

Gregory Mesna, MD, FACS · Answer

Ice packs after breast augmentation are often used for comfort and to reduce swelling. Our office uses a relatively thick and lightly compressive bandage after surgery to stabilize the breasts and minimize the swelling so the cold from the ice packs is not very effective at penetrating the bandages. You should be able to use ice packs at any point after surgery but I would encourage you to contact your surgeon's office to see what their particular recommendations are for you.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Best to run these types of questions by your plastic surgeon who knows your situation best and is ultimately responsible for your care. Regardless, patients should be very careful about applying cold or heat to recently operated upon areas; these areas will likely be numb and can potentially be damaged by excessive cold/heat that the patient does not sense . Therefore, in my practice, I ask patients not to apply either cold packs or heating pads directly upon surgical sites. Again, your plastic surgeon will be your best resource. Best wishes; hopefully, you will be very pleased with the long-term outcome of the procedure performed.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You may use ice packs now for comfort.  Please wrap them in a towel, and do not freeze your tissue. Also, I do not suggest using the ice continually, but just for about 20 minutes at one time.

Jeanette Padgett, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be best to contact your plastic surgeon and follow her/his post operative instructions.   I don't instruct my patients to use ice packs but I don't tell them not to either.  Some patients feel the ice packs help. Others think it makes their muscles contract more and using the ice packs are more uncomfortable.  Contact your plastic surgeon and follow their instructions.  Best wishes.

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

We tell our patients to use ice for comfort IF THEY WANT.  There's no scientific evidence that icing breasts after augmentation makes any real difference in the outcome, bruising, or the recovery.As your surgeon about ice if you're wondering what they would like you to do.

When can I start icing my chest with an ice pack after breast implant surgery?

Answers (7)

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